Internal Affairs Unit

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Internal Affairs Unit is to conduct thorough, timely, and impartial investigations of alleged misconduct by the members of the Daly City Police Department. These investigations will be appropriately documented in a legal and ethical manner. The Internal Affairs Unit is staffed by a Sergeant who is designated by the Chief of Police. Additionally, the unit administratively investigates all officer involved shootings and in-custody deaths.

Information Regarding the DCPD’s Retaliation Policy:

The Daly City Police Department believes in the right of all persons to report potential misconduct by its members without fear of retaliation. Retaliation against any party to a complaint made to the Department or Internal Affairs Unit is prohibited. The Department will not tolerate retaliation and will take immediate disciplinary action against any member in violation of this policy.

Complaint Process:

Any person can file an allegation against any member of the Daly City Police Department. An allegation is an unproven accusation that a member of the Police Department violated Department or City policy procedure, rules, regulations, or the law. If you believe that the conduct of an employee was inappropriate, you may request to speak to the on-duty supervisor at the police station or contact the Internal Affairs Unit at the information listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs):

How is an allegation of misconduct accepted? An allegation will be accepted by phone, letter, e-mail, fax, anonymously, or in person.

Who conducts the investigation? Regardless of where the allegation is filed, the investigation is conducted by the Daly City Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit.

How is an allegation proven? An allegation is sustained by a preponderance of the evidence. Preponderance means proof that more likely than not the alleged conduct occurred.

How much time does it take to complete a case? According to the Peace Officer Bill of Rights Government Code Section 3304, allegations against police officers must be completed within one year of the received date. The Daly City Police Department has a policy of completing all cases within 300 days of the received date.

How will a member of the public be notified of the case outcome? After the investigation is completed, the case is forwarded from the Internal Affairs Unit to the Chief of Police for audit and review. Once there is agreement that the case has been completed in a thorough, fair and objective manner, a disposition letter will be sent to the complainant.

What is the definition of an allegation, misconduct, and complaint?

An allegation is an unproven accusation that a member of the Police Department violated Department or City policy procedure, rules, regulations, or the law.

Misconduct is an act or omission by a Department member that is a violation of Department or City policy, procedure, rules, regulations, or the law, which if proven true may result in disciplinary action.

A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction that contains an allegation, which if proven to be true, demonstrates misconduct.

When receiving a disposition letter, what are the potential findings of a case? The findings include: Unfounded, Exonerated, Not Sustained, and Sustained.

If an allegation is sustained will discipline information be provided in the disposition letter? No, state law prohibits the release of this information.

If you have any further questions or require any assistance, please contact: